HOME-START STOKE-ON-TRENT SUPPORT IS COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL,

  NON-JUDGEMENTAL AND FREE OF CHARGE

  WHY DO SOME FAMILIES NEED

  HOME-START?                       

• several young children, twins or more

• very young/inexperienced parents themselves

• child/parent with disability

• child's behaviour difficulties

• ill health, mental or physical

• relationship difficulties

• death of a family member

• post natal depression

• inadequate housing

• financial difficulties

• budgeting problems

• loneliness/isolation

• lone/single parent

• depression

• violence and abuse

• asylum seekers 

Home Visiting

Volunteers

and Family Support Workers

      HELP IS AT HAND IN DIFFERENT WAYS

• We support any family who needs us, as long as they have at least one child under five

• After asking for support one of our local Co-ordinators will visit you to identify and to agree with you the type of support you need, either volunteer, Family Support Worker or family group

• All of our volunteers have parenting experience and one of them will visit you for a couple of hours a week to give you both emotional and practical help

A Volunteer or Family Support Worker will visit you regularly

(usually once a week for a couple of hours) and offer:

• Friendly support  through difficult times for as long as you need help

• Understanding  that when bringing up children, problems are not unusual

• Reassurance  that you are not alone

• A listening ear  and a shoulder to cry on

• An extra pair of hands  to help you cope with every day situations

• Practical help  with activities like playing or story time

  Links to..

                Family Story

                Volunteer Story

Home-Start operates a Family Group every week during term time for referred families only.  A taxi picks up families from their home and takes them to our Group.  The taxi is free.

This enables parents to:

• Enjoy a break from their children
• Meet other parents
• Share problems and pleasures of family life
• Learn about important issues
• Take part in craft activities or learn about aromatherapy or nail art

And children to:

Play in a safe environment, supervised by qualified staff and volunteers, which is specifically designed to stimulate and encourage their overall development and allows them the chance to play with other children.

The group is registered with Ofsted and complies with their standards in caring for your child.